Dr. Stuart Weiss: COVID-19 Update Tuesday 27-October-2020
By Dr. Stuart Weiss
Rapid Test Center of New York
Dr. Stuart Weiss, FACEP, FAAP, CBCP
October 27, 2020
CoViD-19 News and Information you can trust
Welcome to our new subscribers from the Rapid Test Center.
So where are we now??
I was asked this question on a client call today so I thought many people may be thinking this.
Unfortunately, we are entering what may be the worst time period for the pandemic in the United States. These next few months will see many people getting sick and increasing hospitalizations and deaths.
What’s worse, the White House seems to have given up on things with the Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows saying this weekend that we’re not going to control the virus in the United States. Well, that’s a hell of an attitude and he’s right. With the administration’s failed pandemic policy, we are never going to get on top of this until we someday have a vaccine.
So, we’re entering a period where we will see more daily new cases than ever before. We keep breaking new case number records every day. There are still some states that do not have universal face covering mandates. States in the midwest and mountain areas of our country are struggling to keep up with the new case numbers. 226,613 Americans have died from coronavirus related causes so far. 46 States have increasing case numbers according to the New York Times. In Europe, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain are seeing increasing case numbers as well. Asia seems to be doing well. In Asia, it is a sign of respect to wear a face covering and everyone does it.
There seem to be six major strains of virus circulating around the world. It appears that the virus may have mutated to become more contagious but it seems to be less lethal. According to the Dept of Homeland Security Master Question List of 10/20/2020, the ID-50 (the dose where 50% of animals or humans will become infected) for humans is likely less 10,000 PFU (plaque forming units), possibly even lower at less than 1,000 PFU. They report that studies in the U.K. in Jan 2021 will be done where they will expose humans to the virus to determine the ID50 for human. By comparison, monkeys require up to 700,000 PFU to get sick and ferrets require only 2000 PFU to get sick. If you want to read the latest update, go to this site: https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/mql_sars-cov-2_-_cleared_for_public_release_20201020.pdf
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here are about 176 vaccine candidates currently under development. Around 150 are in Phase I/II early studies, 16-17 are in Phase II/III studies, 10 are in early Phase III studies and 4 are in late Phase IV studies and getting closer to an understanding on their efficacy and safety. These four are a chinese vaccine, Astrazeneca, Moderna and Pfizer. The problem with these vaccine is that they require extremely cold storage temperatures (minus 80) so that makes shipping and storing in physician offices and pharmacies challenging.
We have gotten smarter in treating very sick people. Remdesivir has been approved as an antiviral medication for early in the disease and steroids play an important role later in the disease. Various monoclonal antibody mixtures are being developed and you read about one version from Regeneron. They have applied for emergency use authorization for this medication.
For the most part, the usual public health measures are all we have. Everybody knows what they are by now but people are suffering from CoViD fatigue. I know I am but I still wear my face covering, wash my hands and socially distance myself. Its the only thing I can do so I do it, albeit reluctantly.
Our testing center is back open. Suddenly and unexpectedly, a truck pulled up and dropped off some test cartridges. We also have acquired a second testing platform that is actually more accurate than the ID NOW system. We will be offering both and continue to explore new testing technologies.
There are some great new technologies on the horizon. One is especially exciting for large scale events.
Stay safe and try to remember to protect yourself and your families, especially as the holidays approach.
Be well,
Dr. Stu Weiss
COVID-19 HEADLINES FOR TODAY
| Coronavirus update for October 27, 2020 World Wide Updates Russia imposes a nationwide mask mandate in new set of coronavirus restrictions France reports 523 new deaths, highest daily death toll since April Australia’s coronavirus epicenter records no new cases as the US and Western Europe struggle to contain the pandemic Italy protests turn violent as anger mounts over Covid-19 measures Belgium on the brink as virus surge fills ICU beds Portugal makes masks mandatory in outdoor public spaces Another Indian minister tests positive for Covid-19 Reality bites for Putin’s much-hyped Covid-19 vaccine, as concerns over efficacy and safety linger Germany sees exponential rise in cases India sees another drop in new Covid-19 cases, reports lower daily count than US Giving up control of the virus is dangerous, WHO Director General says Victoria Premier urges vigilance: “When you let your guard down, this virus will take advantage of you” British study shows evidence of waning immunity to Covid-19 Australia’s Victoria state reports no new Covid-19 cases for the second day in a row Nearly 200 airports in UK and Europe could go bust due to collapse in air travel French ICU units to hit record saturation in two weeks without new measures Algerian president has been hospitalized Sweden registered 1,870 new coronavirus cases Macron will announce new Covid-19 restrictions tomorrow Total Cases Worldwide: 44,155,428Total Deaths Worldwide: 1,169,799Total Recovered: 32,356,225 US Updates More than 226,000 people have died from coronavirus in the US Coronavirus cases are truly up and it’s not just because of more testing, Trump’s testing czar says This teen contracted Covid-19 in March and is yet to fully recover NYC mayor asks people not to travel during the holidays Illinois health official who cried while reporting new cases and deaths: “People are not quite getting it” Lilly stops using one antibody treatment for hospitalized Covid-19 patients Halloween plans change as more children keep getting infected In just a week, the fall coronavirus surge added nearly half a million cases to the US total Trump takes Supreme Court victory lap while deceiving nation over worsening pandemic Half of all US adults say colleges that brought students back to campus made the right decision, study finds US reports more than 66,700 Covid-19 cases The feared pre-election Covid surge is here Minnesota reports three Covid-19 outbreaks related to Trump campaign events in September The US is close to having “exponential spread” in some areas, former FDA official says ‘After the election, we’ll get the greatest stimulus package you’ve ever seen’, Trump says Antibody immunity to COVID-19 declines over time, study suggests Covid-19 crackdown in Newark with store closing restrictions after uptick in cases NYC Transit workers to get COVID-19 tests at subway yards and bus depots as MTA tries to hold off second coronavirus wave Covid-19 outbreak among university soccer players tied to social gatherings, CDC says Total US cases: 9,023,443Total US deaths: 231,922Total Recovered: 5,864,099Total Tested in US: 133,750,060 Total cases in TX: 924,091Total deaths in TX: 18,185 Total cases in CA: 914,183Total deaths in CA: 17,430 Total cases in FL: 786,311Total deaths in FL: 16,510 Total cases in NY: 534,832Total deaths in NY: 33,594 |
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